South Africa's President Jacob Zuma faces an impeachment vote Tuesday after the Constitutional Court ruled last Thursday that Zuma has to repay money taken from state fund to renovate his private home. His party, African National Congress (ANC), has backed the president and accepted his apology for failing to pay, reports said.
Zuma is expected to survive the impeachment vote launched by ANC's opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). ANC holds 62 percent of the 400 seats in the National Assembly and the opposition needs two-third votes to unseat Zuma. The DA was quoted as saying by BBC that it would demand for a secret ballot so that ANC members seeking Zuma's ouster can vote freely. However, the proposal has been dismissed by the Speaker of the lower house, Baleka Mbete, as it is against parliamentary laws.
"The president has apologised and that's the humility that is necessary for any leader," ANC General Secretary Gwede Mantashe told 702 Talk Radio Monday, according to Reuters. Mantashe also discussed the DA's demand for the impeachment motion saying that "if it makes sense for them and gives them public attention, then fine, we can't stop them from doing it."
The value of the Rand reduced by almost one percent before the vote, Reuters reported. South Africa could also have its credit rating reduced further due to the political unrest, which began in December 2015 after Zuma changed finance ministers twice in a week, which followed a no-confidence vote against him.
He was also hit by scandal recently after it was found that his close aides, the Indian-origin Gupta brothers, were involved in horse-trading. They were allegedly involved in the removal of the former Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene, while ministers alleged that they were asked to help the Guptas by the president.
Public sentiment went against Zuma as they took to Twitter asking for his removal as President and questioning the ANC's reluctance in impeaching the veteran leader.
